Moon and Xi agree to strengthen talks on North Korea issue

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a summit meeting on Saturday (local time) in Da Nang, Vietnam, on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit and have decided to discuss the future-oriented development of the bilateral relations in a comprehensive manner through President Moon’s visit to China next month. This is a summit-level confirmation of the agreement released on Oct 31, in which the two governments agreed to restore their relations.

The two countries have agreed to “peacefully resolve North Korean nuclear issue through dialogue” and to strengthen strategic talks on all levels. That is, to resume communication channels on North Korea such as meeting between representatives of stalled six-party nuclear talks. “This also includes a new consultative body to expand the existing senior-level talks,” South Korean presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.

Unlike the expectations that U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) will not be on the agenda to be discussed during the summit meeting, President Xi has underscored that “the two countries should be held accountable to their citizens for the high-stake issue.” In this respect, President Moon has reiterated his stance that the THAAD anti-missile battery does not target China.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a summit meeting on Saturday (local time) in Da Nang, Vietnam, on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit and have decided to discuss the future-oriented development of the bilateral relations in a comprehensive manner through President Moon’s visit to China next month. This is a summit-level confirmation of the agreement released on Oct 31, in which the two governments agreed to restore their relations.

The two countries have agreed to “peacefully resolve North Korean nuclear issue through dialogue” and to strengthen strategic talks on all levels. That is, to resume communication channels on North Korea such as meeting between representatives of stalled six-party nuclear talks. “This also includes a new consultative body to expand the existing senior-level talks,” South Korean presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.

Unlike the expectations that U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) will not be on the agenda to be discussed during the summit meeting, President Xi has underscored that “the two countries should be held accountable to their citizens for the high-stake issue.” In this respect, President Moon has reiterated his stance that the THAAD anti-missile battery does not target China.